Why is my son is hitting,pushing,pinching,scratching,and yelling at me?

My son is almost 5 years old. His dad and I are in and out of court and he hasnt seen his dad more than a hour a week for the past 5 months. Three out of 5 months he didn't see his dad. We have moved 2x recently and my fiance and I have a baby due soon. When he sees I am getting mad from him not listening or when I give him a time out he slaps me in the face or arms. He scratches,pinches, kicks, punches and pushes me as he tells me I better stop and shut my mouth. Could this all be due to stesses in his life?? He has night terrors now and is even more fussy with eating and gives me such a hard time with any and everything I ask of him. Please help!!

Not seeing his dad, moving twice and a new baby on the way are all very big changes in a 4 year olds life, would surprise me if he DIDN'T act out. If you moved 2 times recently I'm sure getting settled in one place only to have to pack up and go to another and then do it all over again is very confusing for him. How soon is the new baby due? Yet another change he is getting used to at the same time. For a 4 year old this is all a lot to process and handle, heck it would be hard for an adult to handle! How does he get along with your fiance? Up until the 5 months ago did he see his father on a regular basis? Why are you and the father going back and forth in court?

Rosepetal brought up a lot of good points. At 4 years old he does not have the ability to express himself by walking up to you and saying, "Gee Mom I really miss my father and it's making me angry" or "All this moving is very confusing for me" so it often comes out in nonverbal cues like tantrums and changes in behavior or changes in eating habits.
Why all the moving? And why has he not seen his Dad?

I agree totally with the two answers above, sounds like the kid is not in a very stable situation, that's a lot to be going on in his young life and I don't blame him for not handling it very well. I'm surprised meliss0879 even has the need to ask this question because any Mom who is in tune to her child's needs would know that all those factors would be stress causing in a 4 year olds life in the first place and would be doing more to help him than posting a question on a message board. And you have another baby on the way? Looks like you have your hands full with your first one nevermind bringing another child into the world.

It takes a lot for a mother to ask for help. I respect melissa0879 for having the courage to say that she are having trouble with her child. This is a delicate age for a child and he is in need of stability, love and support. I would suggest doing special things with him so he knows he's still very important to you even though you will soon have a new husband and baby. I also think froggygal72 does not need to bash on melissa0879 for having a tough time right now especialy if she is unaware of the whole situation. melissa0879 and her son need support not criticism. Good luck melissa0879, I am sure everything will work out for you nd your family.

Sounds like he hates you. Slap him back.